Josh Shapiro talks possibility of being named Vice Presidential nominee

PITTSBURGH, Pa. (WHTM) – “Are we not talking about concrete anymore?”

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro took questions from reporters in Pittsburgh on Monday afternoon at an event discussing a new $396 million federal environmental grant .

The event came with rumors swirling over whether Shapiro would be tapped to be Kamala Harris’ Vice Presidential nominee. Shapiro took questions for about 13 minutes repeatedly saying Harris had a decision to make and that Pennsylvania will be the “epicenter of our politics today.”

Shapiro said he spoke to President Joe Biden on Sunday a few moments after he offered his statement on not seeking a second term. The Governor said he also spoke with Harris on Sunday “only about defeating Donald Trump” and when asked if he would say yes to joining the Harris ticket, Shapiro said he would not engage in “hypotheticals” after endorsing the Vice President.

When asked if he’s been contacted by the law firm overseeing the search for a Vice Presidential nominee, Shapiro said he had not and that Harris should be able to make the decision without pressure.

“She will now have to make an important decision, as then-candidate Biden had to make, and that is who to run with, who should be her running mate,” said Shapiro. “That’s a deeply personal decision and a decision that should be made really free from any political pressure.”

Harris and Shapiro were both Attorneys General and although they did not serve at the same time, Shapiro said the two have been friends for nearly 20 years.

Shapiro said Harris will have to decide “who she wants to govern with, who she wants to campaign with, and who can be there to serve alongside her when she serves as, God willing, the 47th President of the United States. She will make that decision when she is ready and I have all the confidence in the world that she will make that decision as well as many others in the best interest of the American people.”

Shapiro went on to take repeated shots at Trump, saying he was anti-Union “screwing over workers” and that as Attorney General, Shapiro defeated the Trump administration in court multiple times.

Prior to Biden’s announcement, Shapiro and Harris were together at Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia for a campaign stop.

“What I am focused on is we don’t go back to Donald Trump’s chaos and that we elect Kamala Harris the next President of the United States,” said Shapiro on Monday.

“I think Kamala Harris represents the views and values of this Commonwealth and as she comes and introduces herself not as the Vice President to Joe Biden, but as the Democratic nominee God willing and as a presidential candidate, lays out her vision, her agenda for this commonwealth and this country I think the good people of Pennsylvania are going to be real excited,” added Shapiro.

When asked directly whether he was interested in the job of Vice President, Shapiro said “I’m focused on doing my job.”

Rogette Harris, the Chair of the Dauphin County Democratic Committee and a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, said she thinks Shapiro “would be a great candidate.”

“We would have two prosecutors on the ticket going against Donald Trump, who was just convicted for 34, felonies and who lies every other sentence. So I think it would be a great ticket,” said Rogette Harris.

“I do think they have to consider,” said Democratic analyst Pete Shelly, “you know, the impact that Josh can have here in Pennsylvania. And I think as a campaigner you’ve seen that she’s a very effective campaigner and a good leader.”

Shelly added “Josh doesn’t have a lot of baggage, I can say. So I think be great for the state, but I think he’ll be up to the job.”

Pennsylvania lawmakers have also jumped on the Shapiro bandwagon with Speaker of the House J oanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia) and Appropriations Chair Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia) appearing to endorse a Harris-Shapiro ticket. The Pennsylvania Delegation to the Democratic National Committee also unanimously endorsed Harris on Monday, as did Senator John Fetterman and the rest of Pennsylvania’s Democratic Congressional delegation.

Pennsylvania State Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa says Democrats had a lack of “enthusiasm and energy” toward Biden’s candidacy prior to him dropping out.

“I don’t mean that in a bad way. I just it’s just where things are at. I think this overnight have flipped a switch where Democrats are energized, they’re excited,” said Costa.

Costa added “I think we should be very proud that our governor is being considered for such a prominent role in our country’s government. I think there’s no question I think he’d do an excellent job.”

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